Phlox plant named ‘Watermelon Punch’

ABSTRACT

A new phlox plant particularly distinguished by salmon-pink petals around a large white center with a large floret diameter, a compact plant habit, healthy foliage and good mildew resistance is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phlox paniculata hybid.

Variety denomination: ‘Watermelon Punch’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of phlox,botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Watermelon Punch’. The new cultivar originated froman open pollination in 2005 in Haarlem, The Netherlands between unknownmale and female Phlox paniculata plants.

The new cultivar was selected from the results of the open pollinationin 2006 in Haarlem, The Netherlands and has been asexually reproducedthrough two generations by vegetative cuttings in Haarlem, TheNetherlands since that time. The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

-   -   1. Salmon-pink petals around a large white center;    -   2. Large floret diameter;    -   3. Compact habit;    -   4. Healthy foliage; and    -   5. Good mildew resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

This new phlox plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show blooms and foliage of the plant in full color, the colorsshown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. The photographs are of a 4-month-old plantgrown in a greenhouse in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds andfoliage.

FIG. 2 shows a mature flower.

FIG. 3 shows a mature leaf of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Watermelon Punch’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inHaarlem, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken in August on 2year old plants which were planted and grown outdoors in daytimetemperatures between 14° C. and 32° C., and nighttime temperaturesbetween 5° C. and 15° C. No pinchings, growth retardants orphotoperiodic treatments were used. Observations were made when theplants were in natural outdoor light. Color references are primarily tothe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London(R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Polemoniaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phlox paniculata.        -   Common name.—Phlox.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Unknown.        -   Male parent.—Unknown.-   Growth:    -   -   Form.—Herbaceous perennial.        -   Habit.—Upright, moderately vigorous.        -   Shape.—Inverted triangle.        -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—43.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—49.5 cm.        -   Growth rate.—10 cm per month.        -   Propagation.—Terminal tips for cutting.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—25 weeks from            rooted cutting for a 1.5 liter container.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots during summer.—30 days.        -   High temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to at least 35° C.        -   Lower temperature tolerance.—Hardy to USDA Zone 4.        -   Roots.—White, thin, fibrous, sparse, freely branching.-   Branches:    -   Habit.—Moderate basal branching.        -   Number of branches.—9 flowering stems.-   Stems:    -   -   Description.—Round, glaborous, slightly glossy.        -   Aspect.—Rounded.        -   Color.—Between RHS N186C (Greyed-purple) to RHS 200A            (Brown).        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.        -   Stem length (excluding inflorescence).—30.7 cm.        -   Internode length.—3.2 cm.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, single.        -   Quantity of leaves (per lateral branch).—20.        -   Durability to stress.—High.        -   Shape.—Broadly elliptical.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: Between RHS 137A            (Green) to RHS 139A (Green). Lower surface: Between RHS 137B            (Green) to RHS 137C (Green).        -   Color (immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green).            Lower surface: Between RHS 137C to RHS 138A (Green).        -   Margin.—Very short fine serrate (approx. 30 teeth per cm).        -   Size.—Length: 8.4 cm. Width: 3.8 cm.        -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Between RHS            144A (Yellow-green) to RHS 144B (Yellow-green). Lower            surface: Between RHS 144B (Yellow-green).        -   Petiole.—Shape: V-shaped. Length: 0.4 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm.            Color: Upper surface: RHS 177A (Greyed-orange). Lower            surface: Between RHS 144B (Yellow-green) to RHS 144C            (Yellow-green).-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—RHS 64B (Red-purple), lower half (immature calyx);            between RHS 145A to RHS 145B (Yellow-green) at the base and            between RHS 147A to RHS 147B at the tips; flushed with RHS            N186C (greyed-purple).        -   Shape. —Narrow elliptic.        -   Size.—Length: 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.45 cm        -   Rate of opening.—Open approximately 4 days from stage            described above.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous during natural flowering season.        -   Inflorescence type.—Self-cleaning, compound terminal            panicle.        -   Natural flowering season.—Summer to late summer (July to            late August).        -   Height.—14.7 cm.        -   Width.—12.1 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Fragrance.—Present.        -   Flower number (per inflorescence).—150.        -   Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—20.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral stem.—130.        -   Quantity of flower buds per plant.—1,500.        -   Rate of flower opening.—Approximately 30% of the flowers at            any stage.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—10 days.        -   Flower longevity as a cut flower.—10 days.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Color.—Between RHS N186C (Greyed-purple) to 200A (Brown).        -   Length.—Primary: 15.1 cm. Secondary: 4.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Primary: 0.25 cm. Secondary: 0.15 cm.        -   Angle.—Primary peduncles average angle 0° (straight            upright), secondary peduncles with an average angle of 55°.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Color.—Between RHS 146A to RHS 147A (Yellow-green).        -   Length.—0.7 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Angle.—Average angle 30° (0° to 60°) (0°=straight on top of            the peduncle).        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Florets:    -   -   Type.—Single.        -   Shape.—Salverform.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate, sweet; typical Phlox paniculata scent.        -   Size.—Height (flower depth): 2.7 cm. Diameter: 3.8 cm.        -   Corolla.—Tube shape. Color: Inside: RHS 64A. Outside: RHS            70C. Length: 1.3 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Shape: Spathulate, the lower            60% fused into a tube. Appearance: Dull, smooth. Number: 5,            fused at the base (lower 60% of each petal). Size: Length:            4.2 cm (lower 2.5 cm fused into a tube). Width: 1.7 cm.            Apex: Rounded. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Color (when            opening): Upper surface: RHS 52A (Red); base of free part            between RHS N74A to RHS N74D (Red-purple); tube RHS N79C            (Purple). Lower surface: Between RHS 55B to RHS 55C (Red);            tube RHS N79C (Purple). Color (fully opened): Upper surface:            RHS 52B (Red); base of free part between RHS 69C to RHS 69D            (Red-purple); tube RHS N79C (Purple). Lower surface: Between            RHS 55B to RHS 55C (Red); tube RHS N79C (Purple). Color            fading to: RHS 55A (Red); base of free part between RHS 69C            to RHS 69D (Red-purple); tube RHS N79C (Purple). Petal            texture (both surfaces): Smooth.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Campanulate.        -   Length.—0.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Appearance: Smooth, dull.            Number: 5. Shape: Linear. Apex: Narrow apiculate. Base:            Lower 60% fused. Margin: Entire. Size: Length: 0.9 cm.            Width: 0.2 cm. Color (mature): Upper surface: Between RHS            145A to RHS 145B (Yellow-green) at the base; between RHS            147A to RHS 147B at the tips; flushed with RHS N186C            (Greyed-purple). Lower surface: RHS 145B (Yellow-green) at            the base; RHS 147B at the tips. Color (immature): Upper            surface: Between RHS 145A to RHS 145B (Yellow-green) at the            base; between RHS 147A to RHS 147B at the tips; flushed with            RHS N186C (Greyed-purple). Lower surface: RHS 145B            (Yellow-green) at the base; RHS 147B at the tips.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Anther: Shape: Basifixed, oblong;            filament implanted in petal. Length: 0.2 cm. Length of            filament: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 4D (Yellow).        -   Pollen.—Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS 4C (Yellow).        -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1. Length: 2.1 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 1.9 cm. Color: Between RHS 187B to 187C            (Greyed-purple).        -   Stigma.—Shape: Cleft (3-parted). Color: RHS 150D            (Yellow-green).        -   Ovary color.—RHS 143A.-   Fruit and seed set:    -   -   Seed.—Quantity: 3 seeds per fruit. Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter:            0.2 cm. Color: RHS 200A (Brown).        -   Fruit.—Quantity per lateral branch: 5. Quantity of fruit per            plant: 45. Length: 1.2 cm. Diameter: 0.6 cm. Color: RHS 146A            (Yellow-green). Texture: Smooth, glossy.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility to diseases or insects noted to date.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘Watermelon Punch’ differs from the commercial Phlox paniculata variety‘Rainbow’ (unpatented), by having a sturdier plant with healthierfoliage and thicker stems than ‘Rainbow’. ‘Watermelon Punch’ is a morecompact plant than ‘Rainbow’. Additionally, ‘Watermelon Punch’ has moreeven and richer flowers with salmon-pink petals around a large whitecenter while ‘Rainbow’ has uneven and less rich flowers with purple-pinkpetals with a white center.

‘Watermelon Punch’ differs from the commercial Phlox variety ‘GrenadineDream’ (unpatented), by having salmon-pink petals while ‘GrenadineDream’ has rich red-purple petals.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of phlox plant as shown and describedherein.